Fixed Term Occupation Contract for a term of less than seven years (non-model version)

This Fixed Term Occupation Contract for a term of less than seven years (non-model version) is designed for use by private residential landlords and letting agents in Wales as an alternative to the official Welsh Government Model Written Statement.

The template incorporates the mandatory fundamental and supplementary provisions required under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, together with additional landlord provisions and practical contractual terms commonly found in professionally drafted residential tenancy agreements.

This version is intended to provide landlords and agents with a more comprehensive and practical occupation contract than the standard Welsh Government model written statement, whilst remaining compliant with Welsh housing legislation.

Important Legislative Changes – Renters’ Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 introduce important anti-discrimination provisions into Welsh housing law with effect from 01 June 2026.

From this date, it will become unlawful for landlords or letting agents acting on their behalf to discriminate against applicants or contract-holders because they have children, or they receive welfare benefits.

Landlords and agents must not refuse a person:

• from viewing or enquiring about a property;
• from entering into an occupation contract;
• because they receive benefits during occupation; or
• because a child lives at or visits the dwelling.

From 01 June 2026, new fundamental terms will automatically be incorporated into most:

• fixed term standard occupation contracts;
• periodic standard occupation contracts; and
• secure occupation contracts in Wales.

What Must Welsh Landlords Do?

Landlords in Wales must update existing standard occupation contracts by formal variation before 14 June 2026, or ensure that all new occupation contracts granted from 01 June 2026 contain the new statutory anti-discrimination terms.

Landlords may either:

• update the existing written statement or occupation contract and provide the revised version to the contract-holder; or
• provide the contract-holder with a written statement of the new terms explaining how they integrate into the existing contract.

Updated template notices and occupation contracts incorporating the new terms will be made available for download to assist landlords and agents with compliance in readiness.

Compliance with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Where this template omits or modifies a fundamental or supplementary term contained in the Welsh Government’s Model Written Statement, the amendments are identified in accordance with the Act as follows:

• omitted wording is shown struck through;
• new wording is shown in CAPITALS; and
• additional contractual provisions are identified with an “(A)”.

These markings should remain visible in the final version of the occupation contract to comply with statutory requirements.

Key Features of This Occupation Contract

• Clause 7A – Main Residence Requirement. The dwelling may only be used as the contract-holder’s only or principal home. This assists landlords where abandonment issues arise.
• Clauses 10A and 12A – Additional Rights of Entry are included permitting landlord access in specified circumstances.
• Clause 13A – Contract-Holder Responsibilities. Additional obligations are included relating to care of the dwelling, testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire safety compliance, and optional provisions concerning pets.
• Clause 13B – Optional clauses impose additional responsibilities on contract-holders occupying HMOs.
• Clause 7A - The dwelling can only be used as the contract-holder’s only or main home. This provides the landlord the right to recover the dwelling on abandonment which the Welsh Government’s Model Form does not.
• Clauses 10A & 12A - Additional landlord rights to enter the dwelling.
• Clause 13A - Additional responsibilities on the contract-holder to take care of the dwelling including regular testing of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and compliance with fire regulations. An optional clause dealing with pets at the dwelling which can be retained or removed as required.
• Clause 13B – Optional clauses placing responsibilities on contract-holders in HMOs which can be retained or removed as needed.
• Clauses 24A and 25 – imposing additional responsibilities in respect of the security of a dwelling.
• Clause 34A – additional requirements at the end of the contract, for example, permitting the landlord to affix a marketing sign.

Fixed Term Contracts in Wales

A fixed term occupation contract lasts for a specified period agreed between the landlord and contract-holder.

Where the contract-holder remains in occupation following expiry of the fixed term, the contract may automatically convert into a periodic standard occupation contract under the legislation.

Further Guidance

Customers should also refer to the Guidance Notes: Standard Occupation Contracts in Wales.

This Fixed Term Occupation Contract for a term of less than seven years (non-model version) template is in open format. Either enter the requisite details in the highlighted fields or adjust the wording to suit your purposes.

As always, you should seek legal advice if you are not sure whether this template will meet your needs or if you need help to edit or add to them to meet your particular needs

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